Marzipan Dove Wagashi

Serves: 2

Destiney Bartoletti

1 January 1970

Based on User reviews:

49

Spice

48

Sweetness

56

Sourness

42

mins

Prep time (avg)

5

Difficulty

Ingredients:

2.333333 cups

Sugar (or 500 grams)

4 stalks

Lemon Grass

2 cups

Cake Flour

1 cup

Rice Flour

1 pinch

Salt

1 large

Egg

Directions:

1

Roll the marzipan into a long rope that is about 1/2-inch in diameter

2

Use a sharp paring knife to slice the rope into 1-inch long slices

3

Use your palms to roll the slice into an oval shape

4

Dip your fingers into cornstarch and pinch 1 end of the oval to mold the tail of the dove's body

5

Pinch the other end to make the head and beak

6

Use the back of the paring knife to score and fan the tail section

7

Push the tail up toward the body to give the sculpture a little more flair

8

To make the wings: Place a small piece of marzipan into a zip-lock plastic bag

9

Use a rolling pin to roll the marzipan into a 3-inch diameter circle that is about 1/8-inch thick

10

Remove the rolled marzipan from the plastic bag and place on the work surface

11

Use the paring knife to cut oval shapes that are pointed on each end

12

Cut 2 pieces for each bird

13

Adhere the wings to the body

14

The finished bird is about 1 to 1 1/2-inches long

15

Jacques' tip: The marzipan can be colored by adding a few drops of food color

16

Work the color into the marzipan by folding it into itself

17

Make the gelatin: Place the water and sugar in a saucepan

18

Use a rolling pin to bruise the lemon grass

19

Place the lemon grass in the water

20

Add the gelatin

21

Bring to a boil

22

Strain the mixture

23

Let the gelatin cool but not harden

24

Place the gelatin into an automatic funnel

25

It is easier to use a funnel than cup with pour spout because you can control the flow of the gelatin as you add it to the mold

26

Pour about 1/4-inch thick layer of gelatin into bottom of the mold

27

Let harden

28

Place the marzipan doves on top of the gelatin layer

29

Use the automatic funnel to add more gelatin to the mold

30

Fill so the gelatin covers the backs of the birds but does not cover them completely

31

Place the gelatin in the refrigerator and let it set

32

When firm, remove from the refrigerator, fill the mold completely, and return to the refrigerator

33

Unmold the gelatin

34

Use a chef's knife dipped in hot water to cut the gelatin into squares

35

Place the gelatin square on top of the Lemon Rice shortbread cookie

36

Serve immediately

37

Place the butter, cake flour and rice flour in a medium-size mixing bowl

38

The rice flour will make the cookie crisper and more crumbly because it does not contain any gluten

39

Use an electric mixer set on medium speed to beat the mixture just until combined

40

Add the salt, lemon zest and sugar, mix just to combine, add the eggs, mix until dough hold together

41

Remove the dough from the bowl and pat into a disk

42

Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour before using

43

This will give any gluten that may have developed a chance to relax

44

If you use the dough immediately after making it, it may be tough and elastic

45

The dough will keep, well wrapped in plastic wrap in the refrigerator for 1 week or in the freezer for 1 month

46

Thaw the dough in the refrigerator until ready to use

47

If you want to store the dough already rolled into a tart pan, wrap it in plastic wrap

48

Marzipan Dove Wagashi: When you are ready to use the dough, remove it from the refrigerator and give it 4 or 5 quick raps with a rolling pin

49

This softens the cold butter

50

Use a 2-inch plain cutter to cut the dough into cookies

51

Place on a parchment paper lined baking sheet and bake in a preheated 375 degree F oven until lightly browned, about 10 minutes

52

Allow the cookies to cool

53

If you place the gelatin squares on top of warm cookies, the gelatin will melt Yield: 19 1/2 ounces of dough